Assistant Director of Human Resources
The University of Chicago

Department
PSD Administration: HR

About the Department
The Physical Sciences Division (PSD) has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical sciences and mathematics, and this tradition of innovation continues today. Our inquiry and impact spans from the edge of the observable universe to human-computer interaction, from biophysical materials science to the geologic record of seawater composition, from gravitational waves to geometric flows, and beyond. The division includes the academic departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. In addition, PSD includes a number of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers, including the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, the Kavli Center for Cosmological Physics, the Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation, and the Data Science Institute. Many of our scientists have joint appointments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory as well as joint affiliations with other Chicago-based research institutions such as the Toyota Technological Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field Museum. Our students build connections with world-leading scientists, collaborate across disciplines, and enjoy the dynamic Chicago and University communities.

Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Assistant Director of Human Resources serves as a strategic thought leader for Human Resources across the Physical Sciences Division, providing in-depth knowledge and expertise to divisional and departmental leaders. Leads the PSD's efforts to improve communication, training and processes and communicate with relevant stakeholders. Collaborates with divisional and departmental leaders to provide strategic advice and support for organizational goals, talent acquisition, learning and development, performance management, compensation, benefits, and employee and labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Uses in-depth knowledge and expertise in Employee- Labor relations (ELR) to take the lead on investigations, working closely with the University's Employee Labor Relations team. Serves as a resource to other members of the HR team to advise on ELR issues.
  
• Oversees the implementation and compliance for PSD's annual performance review process, ensuring that the process runs smoothly and working with the HR team to ensure that PSD's managers understand the process, timeline and complete goal setting and reviews in a timely manner.
  
• Reviews and approves all staff offer letters that are prepared by members of the HR team.
  
• Serves as a back up to the Director of Human Resources, assisting the team and divisional leaders with questions and approvals.
  
• Assists with training team members as needed.
  
• Serves as the lead on leaves and medical accommodations, working closely with the University's Leave Administration team and ELR to ensure that appropriate documentation has occurred.
  
• Serves as the lead on HR projects as assigned including planning, training and implementation.
  
• Works with the Director of Human Resources to develop and improve training resources for departmental administrative staff and HR staff including creating a sharepoint, creating training materials, and developing other resources for staff.
  
• Creates structured training materials that can be deployed more broadly for the HR team and used to onboard new team members.
  
• Provides HR generalist support to assigned units, including but not limited to managing the staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions for staff position, assisting with phone screening candidate and reference checking, creating offer letters, and onboarding new employees.
  
• Maintains appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of problems using best practices.
  
• Counsels employees on the University of Chicago's benefits and when needed, refers staff members to experts within the University.
  
• Serves as a resource to the HR team and supervisors across the Division on ELR matters including but not limited to advising on furlough, layoff, termination and corrective action requests.
  
• Provides guidance to supervisors on PSD employees that are members of the union to ensure that appropriate procedures for managing these employees are followed, including understanding the union contracts and procedures for corrective action, employee complaint and termination.
  
• Guides staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions, interviewing and reference checking, handling employment offers, and conducting orientation. Develops templates and drafts routine offer letters. Maintains appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of problems using best practices.
  
• Counsels employees on benefits and compensation. Coordinates with managers and senior colleagues to determine employee compensation. Analyzes data and prepares charts, graphs, and trend lines for management review with a minimal level of guidance.
  
• Has a deep understanding of unit's employee/labor relations efforts, including handling grievances, disciplinary warnings, and employee complaints.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
  

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible administrative experience.
  
• Experience working in a university environment.
  

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Strong and broad computer skills (word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and web), including a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
  
• Knowledge of Workday.
  
• Experience with student pay processes at a university.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent organizational and communication skills,
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows and processes.
  
• Ability to juggle competing deadlines and prioritize.
  
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
  
• Strong customer service skills and ability to interact with and serve a diverse population with tact, courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.
  
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
  
• Ability to take initiative and organize and complete projects with minimal supervision.
  
• Attention to detail.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (preferred)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Human Resources

Role Impact
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$85,000.00 - $99,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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